4 Out Of 5 METAL Fists!

ANTHRAX – Any red-blooded Metalhead knows that the (unreal) legendary ANTHRAX likes to have some extra fun with their Metal; and this goes back to those golden years of the 80’s. With Anthems, ANTHRAX definitely exhibits their appetite for Classic Rock with contagious and Heavy Rockin’ fun once again! With 6 cover songs, along with their original studio version of Crawl and a Crawl Remix, ANTHRAX have delivered a doozie of an EP to their fans (like myself).

ANTHRAXdoesn’t cover these Rock classics with a Thrash Metal attack, as I had expected they would; instead ANTHRAX stays quite true to the original’s structures and gives these songs a much more harder, heavier and energetic push. Joey Balladonna just has an incredible knack for sounding like he should have been a huge Classic Rock star back in the glorious ’70’s. Joey Belladonna sounds grand on every song, from top-to-bottom.

Above: Digipak Cover Art

The entire band grabs ahold of Anthem, TNT, Smokin’, Keep On Runnin’, Big Eyes and Jailbreak as if they truly thought this entire project over for years. There’s never a point where I wince or question as to why ANTHRAX have chosen to play these classics in such a classic way. Crawl (from 2011’s Worship Music) fits right into the mix of these Classic Rock gems. I guess I never listened upon Crawl as being such a genuine Classic Rock song, up until now. The CrawlRemix is given much higher vibes, courtesy of the orchestration from Michael Lord.

ANTHRAX have proven to my ears their sincere appreciation for the Classic Rock era with Anthems. If you’re as loyal to the classics and ANTHRAX as I am, then this EP is an absolute, 100% must! ANTHRAX is a band that should be inducted into The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame… NOW! Metal be thy name.

ANTHEMS – Track Listing & Info:

Anthem (Rush)

TNT (AC/DC)

Smokin’ (Boston)

Keep On Runnin’ (Journey)

Big Eyes (Cheap Trick)

Jailbreak (Thin Lizzy)

Crawl

Crawl Remix

* Special guest keyboard performance on Smokin’ by Fred Mandel.

* Special guest guitar solo on Jailbreak by Phil Campbell.

Scott Ian – guitars

Charlie Benante – drums and guitars

Joey Belladonna – vocals

Frank Bello – bass

Rob Caggiano – lead guitar

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* ANTHRAX Anthems was released on March 19th, 2013, in North America, via Megaforce Records.

When it comes to covers, the rock genre always gives good value – this looks like a great project Stone! Jailbreak is one of my favourite songs, and ironically, my good buddy Stef who is a drummer is flying out to Spain today and we’re gonna play that very song tonight in my local bar run by guitarist friend Mario!
Incidentally – and …you heard it hear first – WITCH CROSS are also involved in a tribute compilation project – can’t say any more at the moment though!